At her mother’s, Katharina stands plaintively at the window, then her mother tells her about a boyfriend she had who had treated her badly just after her separation with Katharina’s father. Very badly. Her weight was down to 115 pounds. And what was I doing at the time? You were with me, says her mother. But I didn’t notice anything. That was just as well, her mother says. But for you, I would have killed him and marched jubilantly into prison. But it’s the other way around with me, says Katharina. I’m the one that’s brought him to the brink of despair. There’s no comparing, says her mother. In any case, your Hans is much older, he has more experience. It’s not nice of him not to have simply forgiven you. Doesn’t her mother understand that the greatest gift Hans can give isn’t forgiveness but the thorough inspection of the wreckage? That’s the only way anything new and lasting can begin, hopes Katharina.